A Man...

"A Man is more than his wallet.
Providing is more than providing dollars and cents.
We are learning to see the more in the less.
"In not having a radio in our car - the less, we had a seven hour conversation with our children - the more..."
Identify what it is you want to accomplish as a family.
Look at the different areas of your life - "How can we accomplish what we want?"
Begin the process of making counter-cultural decisions.
Let go of peer-pressure.
Make daily decisions along your way to what your family wants.
Let God call the shots - ask Him "What is it You want me to do?"
Invite conversations with your spouse.
Don't drive your decision on the others.
Have the attitude... "Here's what I am willing to do... How can you join me?"

"Living with Less so Your Family Has More"
Mark and Jill Savage

Communication

"Communication is to take part in a meaningful conversation, not to take over a meaningful conversation and render it fruitless."
Dr Mike Hills

Stiffen Our Spines

"One thing that tends to immobalise us is our doom and gloom...
We need to stiffen our spines and acknowledge our rich heritage."
Archbishop Ndungane

Gifts and Talents

"Your gifts and talents can get you "up" there - but only character will keep you there."
Quoted by Vincent Peter

Success

"With every level of success there is a degree of failure.
You don't want to make a decision in the middle of chaos or you add to it.
Until you manage your pain you are going to continue to inflict pain, blow up, bark, yell or scream."
Dr Phil

Manage the Risk

"Manage the risk you are exposed to every day."
LDS Family Services Symposium

DAD HELP!

When I was a little boy we lived in a house by a river. The only way to reach our home from
the road was to walk across a rickety, old, swinging bridge. It made for a long trip unloading the
groceries from the car. Once when I was six years old I decided to help my Dad and big brothers
carry the things in from the store. As soon as my brothers started across the bridge with their
bags I quickly grabbed a big bag full of canned goods and left the bag of bread for my Dad. My
Dad smiled and asked if I needed help. "I can do it myself!," I said determinedly.

About half way across the swaying bridge, however, the sack began to feel heavier and
heavier. I took a few more steps, staggered, and yelled "Dad, Help!" Quickly my Dad steadied
me and switched my bag of cans with his bag of bread. Then together we walked happily the rest of the way into our home.

Most of us go through life determinedly saying, "I can do it myself!" There always comes a
time, though, when life gives us too much to carry. There comes a time when we all start to
stagger and fall. Wouldn’t it be better if before then we wisely asked our Heavenly Father for
His help? It would be a lot safer, a lot easier and we would be a lot happier too.

Don’t wait until you are about to fall off the bridge of life before you ask God to help you. Do
so this morning, today, right now. Ask God to help you with your problems, struggles, and
difficulties. Ask your Heavenly Father to help you to do your work and live your life the best
you can. Ask the Dad of us all to help you to do His will and share His love. Life doesn’t have
to rest on your shoulders alone. Our loving Father is always ready to help you carry your bags.

His hand is there to steady you. His smile is there to shine on you. And His love is there to
uplift you. All you have to do is ask.

Joseph Mazella
joemazella@frontier.com